Sixinteen Volumes of Forbidden Books of the Four Treasuries

Author: None
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2001-08-01
Features:
- Addresses the shortcomings of the Siku Quanshu, restoring the full picture of thousands of years of Chinese classical texts, complementing the Siku Quanshu in brilliance.
- A collection of rare and fine editions, mostly first-time publications, with high value in editions, cultural artifacts, and collectibility.
- Covers all categories, the gaps left uncollected in the Siku Quanshu, making its sequel more complete in format.
- Unabridged and rich in content, featuring famous works from masters, all without any cuts, ensuring strong readability.
- Fluent colloquial translations by renowned scholars to make prohibited books accessible, with expert translations of masterpieces.
- Exquisite printing using ancient techniques and scented paper, preserving the fragrance of the books for eternal appreciation.
A Great Chinese Entry in the Siku Quanshu
To View the Full Picture, Preserve Forbidden Classics
Highly Praised by Scholars of Chinese Classics
Du Rongkun, Director and Researcher, Institute of Ethnic History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The classics collected in the Siku Jinshu are mostly rare, fine, and uncommon editions, all translated into colloquial language by experts, making them highly readable and accessible. They hold immense value in editions, cultural artifacts, and collectibility. The Siku Jinshu addresses the "omitted pearls" of the Siku Quanshu—without the Siku Jinshu, the Siku Quanshu is not a true "complete collection." The Siku Jinshu is an unshakable "sister volume" to the Siku Quanshu.
Bai Zhensheng, Member of the Chinese History Society, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor, Central University for Nationalities
The publication of the Siku Jinshu has "reversed" many historical injustices, uncovering many remarkable works. Its historical significance will be widely recognized.
Yang Shengmin, Cultural Anthropology Expert, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor
Many authors in the Siku Jinshu are renowned figures, their moral character and achievements well-known, yet they were banned by the Siku Quanshu. This is unjust both morally and rationally. The Siku Jinshu finally gives them a voice, the recognition they deserve. In this sense, the experts of the Siku Jinshu editorial committee have done a great and benevolent deed.
Ren Yifei, Chinese Historical Linguistics Expert, Researcher, Institute of History and Linguistics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
A collector should preserve rare and valuable books, not those that "rehash old material." The Siku Jinshu has brought collectors unexpected joy.
Unrivalled Classics That Endure Through Ages
Showcasing the Original Splendor of Chinese Classics
The Siku Quanshu Shocks the World, Forbidden Books Restore the Lost
The Siku Quanshu is the largest series in Chinese history, divided into the four departments of Classics, History, Philosophy, and Literature, with nearly 1 billion characters. From 1773 to 1787, under the order of Emperor Qianlong, 360 renowned scholars participated in its compilation over 15 years. The Siku Quanshu has made great contributions to preserving Chinese classical culture.
The Siku Jinshu consists of books prohibited from being included in the Siku Quanshu. During the Qianlong era, to strengthen ideological control, Emperor Qianlong launched a large-scale campaign to suppress forbidden books through the compilation of the Siku Quanshu. This campaign lasted from 1774 to 1782, nearly 19 years. During this time, Qianlong repeatedly issued edicts, prohibiting many classics from being included, such as rebellious unofficial histories, notes, and collections, as well as morally questionable novels, operas, tales, Ming Dynasty court secrets, and divination texts.
Continuing the Siku Quanshu's Suppression to Rescue Chinese Classics from Ruin
The Siku Jinshu lists as many as 2,855 titles, nearly matching the 3,461 titles of the Siku Quanshu. Most are masterpieces with immeasurable value, yet banned because they were unacceptable to the time. The Siku Jinshu fills the gaps left by the Siku Quanshu, serving as its sequel. Without the Siku Jinshu, the Siku Quanshu is not a true "complete collection." Together, the Siku Jinshu and the Siku Quanshu form a vast treasure trove of Chinese cultural classics.
Millennium-Old Fragments Survive Despite Continuous Prohibitions; Rare Classics Remain Unbroken
All classics in the Siku Jinshu are remnants after disasters, unaltered and uncut original texts. Except for a small number reprinted in the past century, the majority have become rare, fine, and uncommon editions, accounting for about 90% of the total, extremely precious. The Siku Jinshu covers a wide range of content:
- Classics: Banned largely due to the author's associations.
- Histories: A major focus for suppression, resulting in a large number of rich and diverse texts.
- Philosophy: Fills the category of novels left uncollected in the Siku Quanshu—these "trivial and lewd" tales reflect the customs and sentiments of their time.
- Literature: Another key focus for suppression, featuring numerous masters and rare original editions.
Centuries of, a Complete Masterpiece; Ten Thousand Volumes of Forbidden Books Forge a Magnificent Chapter
The historical authenticity of the Siku Jinshu surpasses that of the Siku Quanshu. Precisely because of its authenticity, it was deemed "offensive" by the Qing court and burned. The Siku Jinshu completely breaks historical taboos, gathering wisdom from all schools:
- True records of past dynasties' rise and fall.
- Rulers' strategies for governance.
- Sages' philosophies on life.
- Strategists' grand designs.
- Timeless literary masterpieces.
- Rare anecdotes and tales.
Such rich content in one collection undoubtedly provides collectors with a precious version. Among the 2,855 titles listed in the Siku Jinshu, only about 50% still exist today, with the rest lost. The editorial committee's expert team carefully selected the highest-value, most complete, most readable, and most collectible classics from the remaining works, organizing renowned scholars to translate them into colloquial language and restore missing fragments over six years. This culminated in the completion of this post-conflagration masterpiece—the Siku Jinshu.